Abstract
Background: The continued use of bromate due to its oxidizing property poses health hazards since it is an established nephrotoxic agent.
Objectives: This study evaluated the capacity of the ethanol extract of Aframomum angustifolium seeds to ameliorate the nephrotoxicity of potassium bromate in Wistar rats.
Methods: In stage I of this study, the main phytochemical groups in the seeds were quantified using spectrophotometric procedures. The acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the extract were studied by monitoring physical and biochemical parameters in stage II. In stage III, the reno-protective effect of the extract were determined by administering 350 and 750 mg/kg bw of the extract with 30 mg/kg bw potassium bromate orally. The reno-protective study lasted for 56 days and the effect of treatment on biomarkers was determined on days 28 and 56.
Results: The phytochemical groups (i.e., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol) were detected in the seeds. The acute and sub-chronic oral administration of the extract did not induce any significant toxic reactions across the studied concentrations. The sub-chronic administration of the extract reduced average weight gain in the treated groups. The obtained results in the reno-protective and histological studies indicated that the seed extract offers protection against the induced oxidative assault by bromate.
Conclusion: In general, the co-administration of the ethanol extract of A. angustifolium seeds with bromate can reduce its nephrotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner.